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06-12-2007, 11:07 PM
Pickering remembered as one who defended the stars and stripes at Flag Day ceremony
By Diane Wilkins, Marion Daily Republican, wilkins@mariondaily.com
Published: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:45 AM CDT
E-mail this story (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/06/12/news/news01.eml) | Print this page (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/06/12/news/news01.prt)
http://www.mariondaily.com/content/articles/2007/06/12/news/news01.jpgSam and Lisa Short accept the Elks Medal of Valor from Elk Veterans Service Officer “Penny” Bagby at Flag Day ceremonies Saturday. The Medal of Valor is presented to the family of a service member killed in action during the Iraq War. Lisa Short’s son Aaron Pickering was killed while serving in the Marine Corps. (DIANE WILKINS PHOTO)
MARION — Marion Elks Lodge 800 hosted its annual Flag Day ceremony Saturday with the cooperation of the combine Ritual Team from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1301, American Legion Post 147, National Guard and singers from the Marion VA Medical Center.
A special portion of the ceremony was the awarding of the Medal of Valor to Lisa and Sam Short, whose son Aaron Pickering was killed in Iraq while serving in the Marine Corps.
The Elks Medal of Valor is awarded to families of those who have made the supreme sacrifice. The medal is inscribed on the back especially honoring the serviceman.
“Aaron was a shy young man who would not have felt comfortable with all of this publicity,” Lisa Short said. “But, he would be proud to remember those who have served and died. For that reason we are grateful to receive this medal on their behalf.”
Residents of the Nursing Home at the Marion VAMC were guests of honor as Ralph Graham gave the history of the flag and the part that the Elks have played in establishing a specific day to recognize the emblem of this country.
“Our Flag is at once a history, a declaration and a prophecy,” Graham said. “It represents the American nation as it was at its birth; it speaks for what it is today; and it holds the opportunity for the future to add other starts to the glorious constellation.”
Graham continued the history and call to allegiance to the flag.
“Upon its folds is written the story of America — the epic of the mightiest and noblest in all history,” Graham said. “It is the heritage of the people of the United States, It has been repurchased by each succeeding generation and must be rewon again, again and again until the end if time, lest it too shall pass lie the ancient Empires of Greece and Rome. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”
By Diane Wilkins, Marion Daily Republican, wilkins@mariondaily.com
Published: Monday, June 11, 2007 10:45 AM CDT
E-mail this story (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/06/12/news/news01.eml) | Print this page (http://www.mariondaily.com/articles/2007/06/12/news/news01.prt)
http://www.mariondaily.com/content/articles/2007/06/12/news/news01.jpgSam and Lisa Short accept the Elks Medal of Valor from Elk Veterans Service Officer “Penny” Bagby at Flag Day ceremonies Saturday. The Medal of Valor is presented to the family of a service member killed in action during the Iraq War. Lisa Short’s son Aaron Pickering was killed while serving in the Marine Corps. (DIANE WILKINS PHOTO)
MARION — Marion Elks Lodge 800 hosted its annual Flag Day ceremony Saturday with the cooperation of the combine Ritual Team from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1301, American Legion Post 147, National Guard and singers from the Marion VA Medical Center.
A special portion of the ceremony was the awarding of the Medal of Valor to Lisa and Sam Short, whose son Aaron Pickering was killed in Iraq while serving in the Marine Corps.
The Elks Medal of Valor is awarded to families of those who have made the supreme sacrifice. The medal is inscribed on the back especially honoring the serviceman.
“Aaron was a shy young man who would not have felt comfortable with all of this publicity,” Lisa Short said. “But, he would be proud to remember those who have served and died. For that reason we are grateful to receive this medal on their behalf.”
Residents of the Nursing Home at the Marion VAMC were guests of honor as Ralph Graham gave the history of the flag and the part that the Elks have played in establishing a specific day to recognize the emblem of this country.
“Our Flag is at once a history, a declaration and a prophecy,” Graham said. “It represents the American nation as it was at its birth; it speaks for what it is today; and it holds the opportunity for the future to add other starts to the glorious constellation.”
Graham continued the history and call to allegiance to the flag.
“Upon its folds is written the story of America — the epic of the mightiest and noblest in all history,” Graham said. “It is the heritage of the people of the United States, It has been repurchased by each succeeding generation and must be rewon again, again and again until the end if time, lest it too shall pass lie the ancient Empires of Greece and Rome. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”